New ACS Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines Include Self-Collected Samples for HPV Testing

NEW ACS CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING GUIDELINES INCLUDE SELF-COLLECTED SAMPLES FOR HPV TESTING

Self-collection is convenient and time-saving for many women, but only one option exists for home collection

Straight Healthcare
February 2026

Cervical cancer screening has traditionally required an in-person visit and a pelvic examination so that a clinician can obtain a cervical sample for cytology (Pap) or human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. That barrier contributes to underscreening, especially among people who lack access to gynecologic care, experience discomfort or cultural barriers, or have difficulty scheduling visits.

In a 2025 update to its 2020 guideline, the American Cancer Society (ACS) endorsed self-collection of vaginal specimens for primary HPV testing as an acceptable option for average-risk individuals aged 25–65 years. Clinician-collected cervical specimens remain the preferred method; when clinician-collected specimens are used, repeat screening every 5 years is recommended. For self-collected vaginal specimens, the ACS recommends repeat testing every 3 years. The recommendations only apply to FDA-approved HPV assay and collection-device combinations. The guideline also gives revised criteria for ending screening: to qualify for discontinuing screening, average-risk individuals should have negative primary HPV tests (preferred) or negative co-testing at ages 60 and 65 years, with the last test at age 65 or older; if HPV testing is not available, three consecutive negative cytology tests at the recommended interval with the last at age 65 years are acceptable. A summary of the recommendations is provided in the table below.

ACS 2026 Cervical Cancer Screening Recommendations for Average-risk Women
Age	Primary screening recommendation
< 25 years	Do not screen
25–65 years	Preferred: clinician-collected primary HPV test every 5 years. Acceptable: self-collected vaginal primary HPV test every 3 years.
> 65 years	Discontinue screening if adequate negative prior screening (e.g., negative primary HPV or co-test at ages 60 and 65, with last test at age 65 or older). Continue if high-risk (e.g., HIV, immunosuppression, prior abnormal results, or cervical precancer).

Currently, most FDA-approved self-collection options are for use in a health care setting: the patient collects the vaginal sample in the clinic without a speculum, and the sample is sent for testing. Approved self-collected clinic tests include the Roche cobas HPV test with FLOQSwab or Evalyn Brush, the BD Onclarity HPV test with FLOQSwab, and the Abbott Alinity m. The only FDA-approved option for at-home self-collection is through a company called Teal Health, which requires a virtual visit for a prescription. The kit is mailed to the patient's home, a sample is obtained using a wand, and the sample is mailed to the lab. The cost is $99 with insurance and $249 for cash pay.